Method and apparatus for forming fine mesh nonwoven web

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for producing a nonwoven web comprising two parallel conveyors each of which supports a set of mounting pins wherein each pin is bent to form vertically and horizontally displaced upper and lower yarn retaining portions. A first reciprocating yarn applicator shuttle with a plurality of nozzles loops individual yarn strands around the lower yarn retaining portions to form a web. A second shuttle likewise forms a vertically and horizontally displaced web around the upper yarn retaining portions. The nozzles on the first shuttle are bent to facilitate passage thereof between the upstanding pins and the two webs are laminated to form a single web of a finer mesh.

Aug. 13, 1914 1.. A. PINETTE 3,829,339

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING FINE MESH NONWOVEN WEB Filed Oct. 5,1972 5' Sheets-Sheet 1 L. A. PINETTE Aug. 13, 1914 METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR FORMING FINE MESH NONWOVEN WEB 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct 1.. A.PINETTE 3,829,339.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING FINE MESH NONWOVEN WEB Aug. 13, 1974 ssheets-sheet 3 Filed Oct.

Aug. 13, 1974 PINETTE 3,829,339

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING FINE IIESH NONWOVEN WEB Filed Oct. 5,1972 5 ShQBtS-Shet l.

e2 L/ fl 68 /65 :51 NM 7' $3 I\ 7 Aug. 13, 1974 v .-A. PINETTE 3,329,339

umuon AND APPARATUS FOR rename mm ussa uonwovnn WEB Filed Oct. 5, 1972 sSheets-Sheet 5 lol United States Patent Olfice 3,829,339 Patented Aug.13, 1974 US. Cl. 156-179 22 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosedis a method and apparatus for producing a nonwoven web comprising twoparallel conveyors each of which supports a set of mounting pins whereineach pin is bent to form vertically and horizontally displaced upper andlower yarn retaining portions. A first reciprocating yarn applicatorshuttle with a plurality of nozzles loops individual yarn strands aroundthe lower yarn retaining portions to form a web. A second shuttlelikewise forms a vertically and horizontally displaced web around theupper yarn retaining portions. The nozzles on the first shuttle are bentto facilitate passage thereof between the upstanding pins and the twowebs are laminated to form a single web of a finer mesh.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method andapparatus for producing a fine mesh nonwoven web in a continuous stripand, more particularly, to production of the web and the laminationthereof into an adhesive coated reinforced tape.

For many years nonwoven open mesh webbing has been produced by methodsand apparatus similar to that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,211,851 issuedto Howard on Jan. 19, 1917. Howard disclosed forming a web by advancingtwo rows of upstanding pins and swinging a plurality of nozzles in arectilinear horizontal plane laterally from outside of one row tooutside the other row, the plane being above the level of the tips ofthe pins. To loop the strands delivered by the tubes alternately aroundthe pins, a section of the pin carrier was periodically raised above thenormal level thereof so the pins would intercept the strands on theirinward lateral path.

Subsequently, in US. Pat. No. 2,812,797, issued to Estee on Nov. 12,1957, apparatus was disclosed that maintained the pins at their normallevel, but swung the nozzles in a curvilinear path laterally fromoutside of one row to outside of the otherrow of pins. To loop thestrands delivered by the nozzles around the pins the looping mechanismcaused the nozzles to dip downwardly at each end of the stroke to belowthe level of the pin tips so that the pins intercepted the strands ontheir inward lateral path.

Later refinements in the equipment, and particularly in thesynchronization between the pins and nozzles, permitted the constructionof apparatus wherein both the pins and the nozzles remained in a singlehorizontal plane. At the end of each stroke, each nozzle passed betweentwo pins and reversed direction while outside of the net forming areaand returned through another space between pins thereby looping a strandaround a pin. It is this method that is commonly in use today.

Today, many uses for the netting require increased strength. One methodof providing a stronger webbing, that of forming with thicker, strongeryarn, has been generally unaccepetable inasmuch as thicker yarn isharder to form at a high rate of speed and thicker yarn, coupled withlarge interstices, provides a laminate with nonuniform strengthcharacteristics. Thus interest has been focused on providing a finermesh formed from a greater number of fine yarn strands. A satisfactoryweb can be provided by reducing the spacing of the pins. However, thismethod has a serious disadvantage inasmuch as the nozzles must passthrough substantially smaller spaces between pins and thus the apparatusmust be run more slowly.

Recent experiments have formed two separate nets and combined them thusforming a single net. If the two nets are juxtaposed properly with theyarns of one net by bisecting the interstices of the other net asubstantially finer net is provided. However, the previously disclosedapparatus for practicing this method is essentially two complete netforming machines and thus is quite complex. See for example, US. Pat.No. 3,607,565 issued to Baton on Sept. 21, 1971. In addition, assuringproper juxtaposition is difficult and, in the apparatus disclosed byEaton, costs are increased due to excessive wasted yarn that must be cutfrom the edges of the laminate.

The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a method andapparatus for producing a continuous strip of nonwoven mesh material, ora laminate containing such a mesh, at a high rate of production whereinthe mesh is composed of relatively fine yarn strands defining smallinterstices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is characterized by a method andapparatus for forming nonwoven open mesh netting in a continuous strip.The apparatus comprises a forming section with two parallel endless beltconveyors that support upstanding pins. Each pin is bent to form firstand second yarn retaining portions that are parallel but vertically andhorizontally separated. A first reciprocating applicator, driven by amotive apparatus, receives a plurality of yarn strands from a source ofsupply thereof and wraps them around the first yarn retaining portionsof the pins so as to form a first nonwoven open mesh netting. Similarly,a second applicator receives a plurality of yarn strands and, inconjuction with the second yarn retaining portions, forms a second openmesh netting. Due to the aforementioned displacement of the first yarnretaining portions from the second yarn retaining portions, the firstnetting is vertically and horizontally displaced from the secondnetting. Combining apparatus forces the two nettings together in avertical direction so as to eliminate the vertical displacement, leavingonly the horizontal displacement. Thus the result is a single open meshnonwoven netting with substantially smaller interstices than either thefirst or the second netting. Proper juxtaposition is assured inasmuch asboth nets are formed on the same set of pins. In addition, since eachpin effectively replaces two conventional pins, they are well separatedand the nozzles pass easily therebetween so the netting can be producedat a high rate of speed. Consequently, thenecessity of choosing betweenhighly complicated equipment or slow rates of production has beenobviated.

A feature of the invention is the utilization of offset nozzles in theapplicators. The upstanding pins can be, bent so that the horizontaldisplacement between the first yarn retaining portion and the secondyarn retaining portion is transverse to the direction of motion of theconveyors or parallel thereto. Either configuration facilitates theproduction of fine mesh nonwoven netting. In either configciprocatingapplicators is simplified and higher production rates are possible.

Another feature of the invention is the expansion of this technique to athree tier apparatus. That is, a pin comprising first, second and thirdyarn retaining portions is utilized and a third reciprocating applicatormechanism is added. Thus, yet a finer mesh netting can be produced at ahigh rate of production by combining three nonwoven webs.

Yet another feature of the invention is the inclusion of a laminatingapparatus so that the nettings can be incorporated into a laminate if sodesired. For example, the netting can be laminated between two strips ofkraft paper and an adhesive can be applied to one side of the laminatethus forming a reinforced packaging material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and objects of thepresent invention will become more apparent upon a perusal of thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a laminate comprised of two sheets of paper orthe like and reinforced with a nonwoven open mesh netting that ismanufactured in accordance with the subject method;

FIG. 2 shows the superimposition of two nonwoven open mesh nettingsformed around alternate pins of a forming apparatus;

FIG. 3 shows various methods of looping yarn strands around theupstanding pins;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a preferred open mesh nonwoven webforming apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a detail of a preferred nozzle and pin combination wherein thepins comprise first and second yarn retaining portions;

FIG. 6 shows the pins of FIG. 5 in conjunction with shorter nozzles forapplying yarn to the second yarn retaining portions;

FIG. 7 shows a conventional upstanding pin and nozzle combination forcomparison with that combination shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 shows an alternate preferred pin and nozzle combination withstraight, inclined nozzles;

FIG. 9 shows another pin embodiment wherein the pins' are bent in adirection transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyors;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9 thatshows the nozzles utilized in conjunction with the pins shown in FIG. 9;and

FIG. 11 schematically shows still another preferred pin and nozzlecombination wherein the pins comprise first, second and third yarnretaining portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1 thereis shown a section of a laminate 21 comprising an upper sheet 22 ofpaper or the like, a lower sheet 23 of similar material and a nonwovenopen mesh reinforcing webbing 24. The laminate 21 is bonded togetherwith an adhesive and, if desired, the underside of the sheet 23 can becoated with a suitable adhesive. Today there is interest inmanufacturing a stronger laminate 21, but it has been found undesirableto make individual yarn strands 25 within the laminate 21 substantiallythicker inasmuch as that causes stiffness and nonuniform strengthcharacteristics and thus the laminate becomes difficult to handle. Inaddition, thicker yarns are more costly. Consequently, attention hasbeen directed toward providing a finer mesh, that is, one with smallerinterstices 26.

Laminates such as the laminate 21 are generally manufactured bytechniques and apparatus similar to those diclosed in US. Pat. No.1,211,851 issued to Howard on I an. 9, 1917, and its progeny. The meshas formed by the method of Howard involves looping a plurality of yarn 4strands, released through individual nozzles, around two sets oftraveling, upstanding pins. Generally, the nozzles pass between the pinsduring the looping operation. In order to provide a [liner mesh, thepins have been moved closer together and thus synchronization betweenthe reciprocating nozzles and the upstanding pins has become moredifificult. It is because of this synchronization problem that alaminate 21 with suitably small interstices 26 has not been manufacturedat an acceptable production rate.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is a plan view of a net forming apparatus31 comprising two parallel rows 32 and 33 of spaced apart upstandingpins 34 and 35. The rows 32 and 33 move in the direction of the arrowAA. A plurality of nozzles 36 are affixed to a reciprocating shuttle 30that travels in the direction shown by the arrow BB and is driven by adrive shaft 46 connected to a motor (not shown). Thus, the nozzles 36wrap individual yarn strands 37 around every other pin 34 and 35 forminga nonwoven open mesh netting 38 in the manner disclosed by Howard.Traveling in the direction indicated by the arrow AA, the pins 34 and 35approach another plurality of nozzles 39 mounted on a reciprocatingshuttle 45 that reciprocates as did the first shuttle 30 and is powered.

by a drive shaft 47. The nozzles 39 wrap individual yarn strands 41(shown as broken lines) around the remaining upstanding pins 34 and 35.Therefore after the pins 34 and 35 have passed the nozzles 39 a second,parallel netting 42 is formed of yarns 41 that are parallel to the yarns37 and the combination produces a final netting 43 defining smallerinterstices 44 than the nettings 38 and 42. Thus it is seen that a finermesh netting 43 is formed when two nettings 38 and 42 are formed on rowsof upstanding pins 34 and 35 wherein the pins supporting each nettingare alternated along the length of the rows 32 and 33.

Although this specification refers to two shuttles or, below, threeshuttles, it is obvious that inasmuch as the shuttles such as 30 and 45reciprocate together they can be joined end to end and, it could beargued, form one shuttle. It is to be understood that this modificationis considered within the scope of the invention.

Each yarn strand 37 and 41 is wrapped around a single pin 34 or 35. Thisis shown more clearly in FIG. 3(a). However, it will be appreciated thatthe nozzles 36 and 39 require a measureable reversal or turnaround timewhile outside of the parallel rows of pins 32 and 33 to changedirection. Only if the reversal is quite rapid will the yarn strands 37and 41 wrap around a single pin 34 as shown in FIG. 3(a). If thereversal time is longer with respect to the speed of travel of theparallel rows of pins 32 and 33, each yarn strand 37 and 41 will wraparound two pins 34 as shown in FIG. 3(b), or if longer yet, around 3pins 34 as shown in FIG. 3(c). However, it will be seen on examinationof FIGS. 3(b) and (c) that if the yarn strands are wrapped around thesame number of pins and the different yarns alternate as shown in FIG.3, the superimposition that provides the composite fine mesh net 43, asshown in FIG. 2, is not affected. Thus, it is to be understood thatalthough the figures depict a netting 43 being formed with yarn strands37 and 41 each wrapped around a single pin 34 and 35 the netting can beformed with the strands wrapped around two or more pins.

Referring now to FIG. 4 thereis shown an elevation view of a preferredapparatus 51 for forming non-woven open mesh netting comprising twoendless belt conveyor chains 52 (only one of which is visible)supporting a set of equally spaced upstanding pins 53 and spanningbetween two drive sprockets 54 and 55 which are powered by a motor (notshown). The upper portion of the chain 52 rests on a bar 50 thatprovides vertical stability. The pins 53 are shown in detail-in FIG. 5and define a base plane in which two nets are formed. Each pin 53comprises a first yarn retaining portion 56 and a second yarn retainingportion 57 generally parallel thereto but vertically and horizontallyseparated therefrom. The pins 53 are bent in the direction of travel ofthe chains 52. A first applicator shuttle 58 (similar to the shuttle 30,and also driven bya reciprocating drive shaft) reciprocates along guides59 and supports a plurality of nozzles 61 that each receive a strand ofyarn 62 from a separate spool 63 thereof. (To preserve clarity, only onespool 63 is shown.) As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the nozzles 61 arehollow and are bent so as to pass between the upstanding pins 53 moreeasily. The applicator shuttle 58 reciprocates (in and out of the paper)to form an open mesh netting 38 like the netting 38 shown in FIG. 2. Itwill be noted from an examination of FIG. 5 that the nozzles 61 on thefirst applicator shuttle 58 deposit yarn 62 on the lower yarn retainingportion 56 of the pins 53. A second, similar, applicator shuttle 65driven by a reciprocator drive shaft reciprocates on guides 66 andsupports a plurality of shorter straight nozzles 67 that are shown moreclearly in FIG. 6. The nozzles 67 are hollow and straight and depositindividual yarn strands 68 received from spools 69 thereof on the upperyarn retaining portions 57 of the pins 53. It will be noted that thedirection of travel of the upper portion of the chain 52 as seen in FIG.4 is in the direction of the arrow C and thus the yarn strands 62 arewrapped around the lower yarn retaining portions 56 before the strands68 are wrapped around the upper yarn retaining portions 57. Thus, theyarn strands 68 form a netting 42 like the netting 42 shown in FIG. 2and therefore the composite netting on the pins 53 is a fine meshnetting similar to the netting 43 shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted thatthe difference between the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and that shown inFIG. 4 is that adjacent pairs of pins in FIG. 2 are replaced by a singlebent pin in FIG. 4.

The nettings 38, 42 are combined into a final netting in laminatingpressure rollers 75 of a combining apparatus 76. A support supply roll77 supplies a strip of support material 78 that is adhesive coated in alaminating adhesive coating apparatus 79. A second support supply roll81 supplies a second strip of support material 82. The strips of supportmaterial 78 and 82 are laminated to the two nettings 38 and 42 in thelaminating pressure rollers 75 and thus form a finished laminate strip83 that is similar to the strip 21 shown in FIG. 1. (A single supportsheet 78 could be used with the netting embedded in the adhesive.) Aremoval ramp 84 urges the laminate strip 83 up and off the upstandingpins 53 as the pins continue their forward motion as shown in FIG. 4.Guide rollers 85 direct the finished laminate 83 to a conventionalpackaging apparatus (not shown) for rolling and cutting and, if desired,for adhesive coating of one side of the finished laminate.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of a chain 91 supporting a plurality ofupstanding pins 92 and a portion of an applicator shuttle 93 supportinga plurality of nozzles 94. FIG. 7 is drawn to the same scale as FIGS. 5and 6 and shows the close spacing among the pins 92 and the nozzles 94that is required by conventional apparatus to provide a netting as fineas the netting incorporated in the laminate 83. Bent pins 53 and nozzles61 alleviate the close spacing problem inasmuch as each pin 53efi'ectively replaces two conventional pins and, as will be seen bycomparison of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, permit wider spacing among the pins andthe nozzles and thus faster operation.

Referring next to FIG. 8, there is shown the chain 52 supporting theupstanding pins 53 and a section of a first reciprocating applicatorshuttle 58a that is similar to the shuttle 58 except that nozzles 61asupported thereby are straight and inclined rather than curved as arethe nozzles 61. It will be appreciated from FIG. 8 that the sameadvantages described with respect to the curved nozzle configurationshown in FIG. 5 are realized with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8.Preferably, the same second applicator shuttle apparatus 65 is used inconjunction with the shuttle applicator 58a.

Referring now to FIG. 9 there is shown a portion of a chain 101 similarto the endless chain belt 52 shown in FIG. 4 that supports a pluralityof upstanding pins 102. The direction of travel of the chain 101 is inthe direction of the arrow T shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a sectionalview of the apparatus of FIG. 9 taken along the line 10l0 which showsthat the upstanding pins 102 each comprise a lower yarn retainingportion 103 and an upper yarn retaining portion 104 that are verticallyand horizontally separated, and that the pins 102 are bent in adirection transverse to the direction of travel of the chain 101,whereas the pins 53 shown in FIG. 5 were bent parallel to the directionof travel of the chain 52. A first netting shown by broken lines 105 isformed around the lower yarn retaining portions 103 and a second nettingdepicted by solid lines 106 is formed around the upper yarn retainingportions 104. It will be appreciated from an examination of FIG. 9 thatthe two nettings, when pressed together with combining apparatus similarto the combining apparatus 76 shown in FIG. 4 will yield a final finemesh netting. Also, it will be appreciated that the yarn strands 105 and106 can be looped around 2, 3 or more pins 102 as were the strands shownin FIG. 3. Shown in phantom in FIG. 10 are two inclined nozzles 107 and108. The nozzle 107 is shown outside of the path of the pins 102 in theturnaround position and the nozzle 108 is shown shortly before passingbetween two upstanding pins 102. The nozzles 107 and 108 are shown toillustrate the spatial relationships between the nozzles and theupstanding pins 102. The yarn 106 is applied to the upper yarn retainingportion 104 with short straight nozzles similar to the nozzles 67 shownin FIG. 6. Thus, it will be apparent that upstanding pins 102 benttransversely to the direction of travel of the chain 101 can be utilizedto provide the desirable superimposition effect and enable high speedproduction.

Referring next to FIG. 11 there is shown still another preferredupstanding pin. A chain 111 supports a plurality of pins 112, each pincomprising a first yarn retaining portion 113, a second yarn retainingportion 114 and a third yarn retaining portion 115. A reciprocatingapplicator shuttle 116 is schematically shown supporting a plurality ofdifferent nozzles that are utilized in conjunction with the pins 112. Itshould be understood that the difr'erent nozzles are shown on theshuttle 116 by way of illustration only and just one type of nozzle isused on any one shuttle. Utilization of the three tiered pins 112requires a former with three shuttles but yields a finished netting thatis a composite of three individual nettings and thus can be of a stillfiner mesh or the pins can be more widely spaced thus permitting fasterproduction. The first two nozzles shown are a curved nozzle 117 and astraight, inclined nozzle 118, either of which is used to apply yarn tothe first yarn retaining portion 113-. Shown next is a short curvednozzle 119 that is used to apply yarn to the second yarn retainingportion 114. It should be clear that a straight inclined nozzle similarto the nozzle 51a shown in FIG. 8 can be employed in place of the nozzle119. Finally, a short straight nozzle 121 similar to the nozzle 67,shown in FIG. 6, is utilized to apply yarn tothe third yarn rerainingportion Obviously, many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, thecombining apparatus 76 can be replaced with a heat lamp to join the yarnstrands at the intersections thereof to form a permanently bondednetting material such as onion bag material. It is to be understood,therefore, that the invention can be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for forming nonwoven open-mesh netting comprising:

supply means for supplying a plurality of yarn strands;

forming means comprising two separated rows of spaced apart pins, eachpin comprising a first yarn retaining portion and a second yarnretaining portion that is displaced in two directions from said firstyarn retaining portion;

first applicator means for looping some of said yarn strands around saidfirst yarn retaining portions;

second applicator means for looping other ones of said yarn strandsaround said second yarn retaining portions;

motive means for producing relative movement between said rows of pinsand said applicator means whereby said first applicator meansprogressively.

loops some of said yarn strands around said first yarn retainingportions on different ones of said pins alternately located in each ofsaid rows, so as to form a first netting, and said second applicatormeans progressively loops other ones of said yarn strands around saidsecond yarn retaining portions on said different pins alternatelylocated in each of said rows so as to form a second netting.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second yarn retainingportions are displaced from said first yarn retaining portions in adirection transverse to the direction of separation of said rows ofpins.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first applicator meanscomprises first shuttle means including a plurality of first nozzles forreleasing individual ones of some of said yarn strands and said secondapplicator means comprises second shuttle means including a plurality ofsecond nozzles for releasing individual ones of said other ones of saidyarn strands and said motive means comprises reciprocator means forreciprocating said first shuttle means and said second shuttle means ina direction substantially parallel to said direction of separation.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said rows are parallel andsaid forming means comprises conveyor means for moving said pins in adirection of motion that is parallel to said rows.

'5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said conveyor means comprisestwo endless belts to facilitate continuous motion of said conveyor meansand one of said rows of pins is mounted on one of said endless belts andthe other one of said rows of pins is mounted on the other one of saidendless belts.

*6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said parallel rows define abase plane and said yarn retaining portions are substantiallyperpendicular thereto.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said parallel rows define abase plane and said second yarn retaining portions are displaced fromsaid first yarn retaining portions in a direction perpendicular to saidbase plane.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said second yarn retainingportions are displaced from said first yarn retaining portions in adirection parallel to said base plane.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said second yarn retainingportions are parallel to said first yarn retaining portions.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said pins.

are bent in said direction of travel so that said first netting isdisplaced from said second netting in said direction of travel.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said first nozzles are bentin said direction of travel to facilitate passing of said first nozzlesbetween said pins during reciprocation.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11. wherein each of said pins comprisesa third yarn retaining portion that is displaced from said first yarnretaining portion and said second yarn retaining portion and saidapparatus comprises third applicator means for looping yet other ones ofsaid yarn strands around said third yarn retaining portions so as toform a third netting comprising a third shuttle means including aplurality of bent third nozzles for releasing individual ones of saidyet other strands wherein said bent third nozzles are substantiallyparallel to said first nozzles.

13. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said pins are bent in saiddirection of separation so that said first netting is displaced fromsaid second netting in said direction of separation.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first nozzles are bentin said direction of separation to bining means comprises laminatingmeans comprising: support supply means for supplying a strip of supportsheet with an adhesive coated surface; and

pressure means for pressing said final netting into said adhesive toform a laminate.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said laminating meansfurther comprises:

second support supply means for supplying a second strip of supportsheet; and

laminating pressure means to form a laminate of said support sheet andsaid second support sheet with said final netting therebetween.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said combining meanscomprises ramp means to remove said netting from said forming means.

19. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said laminating meanscomprises adhesive supply means for adhesive coating said surface ofsaid support sheet.

'20. A method for making nonwoven open-mesh netting comprising the stepsof:

providing two rows of spaced apart pins each pin having a first yarnretaining portion and a second yarn retaining portion displaced in twodirections therefrom;

withdrawing a plurality of yarn strands from a source of supply;

progressively looping said plurality of yarn strands around said firstyarn retaining portions on different ones of said pins alternatelylocated in each of said rows to form a first netting;

withdrawing a second plurality of yarn strands from said source ofsupply; and I progressively looping said second plurality around saidsecond yarn retaining portions on said different pins alternatelylocated in each of said rows to form a second netting.

21. A method according to claim 20 comprising a laminating step forlaminating said first netting and said second netting between two sheetsof support material.

22. A method according to claim 20 comprising a combining step forcombining said first netting and said second netting to form a finalnetting with smaller interstices than either said first netting or saidsecond netting.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Estee et a1. 156-440 DANIEL J.FRITSCH, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

2i81 CL; 156-18 1, 439, 440, 441

